Slovak Cultural Centers Launch Public Fundraising Campaign as State Support Dwindles

Cultural centers across Slovakia are turning to public donations to survive as state funding proves insufficient. Laco Oravec from Anténa, a network of independent cultural centers, says the fundraising campaign aims to prevent any centers from closing permanently. The network is optimistic about achieving its primary goal of keeping all facilities operational, though centers expect to scale back their programming this year. Oravec acknowledged that while none of the centers will operate as freely as they would prefer and programs may be less ambitious than in previous years, the critical objective is maintaining access to the facilities and ensuring they remain open beyond January 1, 2027.